Chapter 396: Lifting the Veil

After returning from the Demon Realm, Karyl swiftly set his plans in motion.

He was preparing for his journey to the Thousand-Year Ice Cave, a mystery still buried in the north. By the time he returned, the prophesied Judgment Day would likely have arrived.

“The repairs on Revol have been completed,” Wingel reported. “Sir Calypson has also added new features to Revol and Ascalon.”

“Oh? What kind?”

“As the upgrades are still incomplete, he prefers to deliver a full report once everything is finalized.”

“I see. And what else?”

“The capital’s citizens, along with Tatur’s commercial sector, are stabilizing. The construction of emergency shelters for evacuation is also underway. The post-war chaos has almost completely subsided.”

Karyl turned his head and saw Tiren standing beside Anthem, his expression firm.

“Excellent. But we should continue evacuation drills regularly. The capital remains the safest place in the empire, but we still need secondary and tertiary shelters. When trouble arises, we must ensure swift and organized movement.”

Just as Karyl had expected, Tiren displayed outstanding skill as a civil administrator. Although he was a noble, it seemed that Tiren managed to recognize the needs of the common people, uniting the nobles who had initially opposed the new regime into a cohesive front.

It was certainly the kind of leadership one would expect from someone who had risen to the position of Imperial Chancellor during wartime. In the process, a few nobles were executed as an example, yet his harsh methods yielded clear results.

“Your Majesty, you have unified the continent. While preparing for emergencies is wise, I wonder, what kind of threat would necessitate evacuation drills? Surely there is no looming threat that could force us to abandon the capital, dragons or otherwise.”

Having brought even the continent’s most powerful beings, the dragons, to their knees and secured the empire, Karyl now stood as an absolute figure, his position unchallenged.

“A new war is upon us, one entirely different from anything we’ve known. The battlefield will extend across the entire continent, and bloodshed shall occur on land as well as in the skies.”

“...?”

Tiren frowned in confusion, as did Anthem.

“You’re both doing well. I can’t explain further now, but soon, everyone will understand.”

Anthem recalled the day Karyl had commanded him to prepare Suan and Israphil. Back then, Tiren hadn’t been in the picture.

The descent of the Nephilim...

The idea of a divine creature descending into the human realm bordered on the absurd.

Has Lord Karyl discovered something in the Demon Realm?

Anthem could only speculate, but Karyl had the certainty of his memories. He deliberately kept things vague, as it would make it easier to lead his comrades.

“Understood,” Anthem replied, bowing. “One other thing, though. The coronation ceremony is set to take place soon. It’s a formality we delayed due to the repairs in the capital, but it should nonetheless be publicly celebrated across the continent. Now that Sir Israphil has awakened, he can project Your Majesty’s coronation for all to witness.”

“Hmm...”

For Anthem, the coronation felt more urgent than the distant matter of the Nephilim. It was time to proceed with the long-delayed, crucial ceremony.

“What date would you prefer? I suggest holding it as soon as possible, if I may.”

“I didn’t think a coronation ceremony was strictly necessary, but now that you mention it... I think I have the perfect date in mind.”

“Oh...? Is that so? When would that be?” Anthem asked, his face lighting up.

“The day when the altar is complete.”

Karyl betrayed no particular emotion.

***

“You called for me.”

Karyl looked at Zarka Hochi, the cold night air brushing against his cheek as he stood atop the castle wall.

“Zarka, I’m heading to the north for a while. I need you to come with me.

“To the north? Ah... you mean to the Thousand-Year Ice Cave. But isn’t that a place only those of immigrant descent can enter?”

“That’s pointless now. Everything here is under my control. I need you for your ability to command the dead. As you know, within the Thousand-Year Ice Cave lies an entity slumbering from the Mythical Era.”

“Wouldn’t Nain Darhon be better suited for this? He’s also a skilled necromancer.”

Karyl shook his head. “He may be adept at Tarak, but necromancy is a different matter. Besides, I need the power of the Necklace of Revelation that sustains your heart.”

“If you’re thinking of removing that jewel from him, I’d advise against it. You told me you’d find another way,” a voice came from the shadows.

It was none other than Kay Rothschild.

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

“It seems the two of you have grown quite close. That’s good. Don’t worry, Kay. I’ll keep my promise to you. The Necklace of Revelation is a relic containing the power of the Demon King. I’m just saying it’s necessary to awaken the one sealed inside the Thousand-Year Ice Cave.”

“Well... since you’re the one who freed me, I’ll naturally heed your words. But this is unexpected. I assumed you summoned me to turn Olivurn, lying in the imperial tomb, into one of your undead servants.”

Karyl chuckled bitterly at Zarka’s words.

“I have no intention of doing something so distasteful.”

“Then why freeze him? By piercing his heart with the Freezing Talon, you instantly preserved his corpse. I know death can’t be undone, but preserving his body like that... Well, no wonder that old court sorcerer still visits regularly, weeping over his corpse.”

Though Zarka’s tone was devoid of emotion, his words reflected the curiosity shared by all of Karyl’s subordinates. While defiling the dead without reason was frowned upon, preserving the body of an enemy in perfect condition was certainly strange.

“Is it out of respect for him, even as your enemy? I didn’t think you were one to uphold such sentiments.”

“It’s a different matter entirely.” Karyl’s eyes wavered slightly.

“Zarka, that’s out of line.”

Aware of Karyl’s past life, Allen Javius quickly intervened, stopping Zarka from pressing further. Of course, Zarka's curiosity was only natural. Though they had once been friends in a previous life, they had no ties in this one.

“No, it’s alright,” Karyl reassured. “I didn’t preserve his body and place it in the imperial tomb out of any special regard for him.”

“Then why?”

“I did it because of his blood.”

“His blood...?”

“Yes, I need royal blood. I preserved his corpse not for his sake, but because I need the blood in it.”

This time, it was Allen Javius who was taken aback. Or rather, he was shocked.

“You surely don’t mean...”

Just then, Karyl raised a finger to his lips.

“Shh... It’s not time yet.”

His unreadable expression made Allen shudder.

“Well then, I’ll be heading north.”

With that, Karyl wrapped his cloak around himself, concealing his face.

“

Grooooar...

!”

A crimson wyvern swooped down from the skies, wings flapping powerfully as it let out a low roar, seemingly pleased to be reunited with its master.

***

“The third gorge as you reach the north...”

Karyl recalled Gordon’s indications as he looked up, gazing at the snowy, treacherous slopes and the seemingly endless mountain range stretching out before him.

“...Is this the place?”

It was certainly not the location Kuwell had once mentioned in his past life. And without Gordon’s guidance, he would never have known about this hidden path.

“This path wasn’t made for humans.”

Zarka Hochi, standing behind him, peered over the lofty cliffs.

“Well, no mere human would venture here.”

“Only someone like you, right?”

“And someone else.”

Just as Karyl said that—

“I’ve been waiting.”

Karyl turned toward the voice with a nod.

“I knew you’d come.”

Indeed, he hadn’t anticipated the existence of a second Thousand-Year Ice Cave or the lingering essence of Kaye Aesir. Yet when it came to people, only one individual had truly caught him off guard since his return in time.

“Darryl Harian.”

Beside him stood Alkar, the Great Beast he had encountered in the forest. As before, Darryl’s face was mostly hidden beneath his hood, his expression as unreadable as ever.

“You’re still the same, I see.”

“I witnessed you activate Polsetia. Just as I had hoped... Only you, Lord Karyl, could wield a relic from the Mythical Era.” Darryl Harian gave a faint smile.

“But a blade, of all things... Unimaginable. They say the first spell cast from the ancient tome suits its user best. No other sorcerer could summon a blade from Polsetia.”

Sling—

Karyl opened Polsetia in an instant, its sword aimed at Darryl’s neck.

“Oh? Then I bet you’re curious about its magic. Would you like a taste of it? It’s much sharper than it looks.”

Zarka Hochi watched on rather indifferently, shrugging.

“Haha, of course not. That sword cut through the Platinum Dragon’s scales, so I respectfully decline.”

Darryl didn’t so much as flinch.

“You’re still as sly as ever,” Karyl remarked.

Darryl gave a faint chuckle. Though his calm demeanor hadn’t changed, his attire was different, catching Karyl’s attention. Instead of the white robe from last time, he now wore one of deep crimson.

“And what game is this?” Karyl eyed him with irritation. “Are you trying to imitate Kaye Aesir now?”

For most sorcerers, robes were simply garments. But red robes were different—reserved for the first dragon slayer. If the Seven Elders of the Magical Era were like gods to the sorcerers, Kaye Aesir was their hero, having proved that humanity could attain the unattainable.

Out of reverence for their hero, sorcerers refrained from wearing red robes.

“How could I dare imitate him? I am merely fulfilling the duty left to me.”

“A duty left to you? What does reviving the lost Great Beasts have to do with Kaye Aesir?”

“It’s separate but also intertwined. I heard you ventured into the Demon Realm. Did you obtain Kaye Aesir’s essence?”

“How do you know that?”

At that, Darryl merely shrugged his shoulder lightly.

“Perhaps I should eliminate you all before dealing with the Wooden Cloud.”

“That won’t be necessary. Once you return from this place, we will follow you.”

“You speak as if you know what’s inside.”

“I don’t. We have simply waited.” Darryl slowly lowered his head. “For the one with the rightful claim to be king.”

Karyl realized that Darryl’s final words echoed those spoken by Gordon. And in that instant, he sensed that he was about to uncover the last shrouded secret.